Robert F. Drawbridge

Robert Francis Drawbridge, age 89, of Aurora, CO passed away at SkyRidge Hospital on April 10, 2013 after a valiant battle against cancer of the esophagus. On February 3, 1924 Bob was born in Brooklyn, New York: a son of the late James and Rose Drawbridge (Hardgrove). On January 26, 1949 he married Irene Lucille Shabazian, who survives. He is also survived by Elaine Corning, his youngest daughter, son in law Hobart M. Corning, III; and by his nieces and nephews and their families. He was preceded in death by his oldest daughter Pauline Johnette Brockman. He attended Saint Anthony's Elementary School and Bushwick High School both in Brooklyn. After serving in the US Army, Bob began college at what is now Colorado State University and transferred to the University of Maryland where he received his Bachelor's and Masters Degrees in Dairy Manufacturing. In 1951 he was awarded a Patent for developing Ice Milk. He began his career in dairy at National Dairy Research Laboratories in New York. He continued working in the Dairy and Ice Cream industry for several years; living in Virginia and Chicago. After twelve years in Chicago working for Bresler's Ice Cream as Production Manager, in 1967, Bob accepted a management position with a manufacturer of blinds for 7 years in New Jersey and 2 years in Ohio. In 1975 he accepted a position with Baskin Robbins in Granada Hills California. He ended his career working for the Department of Defense as a Contract Administrator, including work with Northrop in the development of the B-2 Advanced Technology Bomber (Stealth). In 1990 Bob and Irene retired and moved from Granada Hills to her home town of Turlock, California. In 2005 they moved to Aurora, Colorado to be near their daughters. He and Irene traveled extensively throughout Europe and the US. Bob was a life time learner, played golf and bridge and was interested in computers, reading, investing, and genealogy. Bob was a devout Catholic. Bob believed there are two kinds of people; those who are Irish and those who wished they were. Visitation will be Wednesday, April 17, 2013 from 5-7 PM at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 11150 E. Dartmouth Avenue (at Parker Road), Aurora. Funeral Mass will be Thursday, April 18, 2013, 11 AM at Our Lady of Loreto, 18000 East Arapahoe Road, Foxfield, Colorado 80016. Memorial donations may be made to: Denver Dumb Friends League 2080 South Qubec Street Denver, Colorado 80231 Please share your memories of Robert and condolences with his family by selecting the Guestbook link below.